dreaming of being free

6 months left of work . . . counting down the days to freedom! Next will be the minutes:)

Blog Identity Crisis

Anyone ever change their blog template so much that you just get confused about what you really want your blog to look like? That would be my blog. Ever since I discovered free blog templates, I have been having lots of fun changing the look of my blog. So probably the next time you check back, it will look completely different until I find the right template.

Lazy Sunday

Just enjoying a lazy Sunday in the art room.

A New Travel Journal

My friend had a great idea to each create travel journals and swap each month. This is travel journal #3. The last one was so full that the back cover fell off. I recommend this idea to anyone that is separated by distance from their close friends. I feel like it has kept us connected in ways that email, texting, or phone calls never would have & we have keepsakes for years to come.

Spontaneous Journaling

I love when I go into my art room with no plan and just start working in my art journal. That's what I did with this journal entry. The finished product is a little crazy, but when I look back at my old journals I see symbolism or notice things that I didn't see at the time so give it a try have no plan and just start creating & see what happens!

3 day weekends:)

I love three day weekends. It makes my top 10 list of things that make me happy. What makes your top 10 list?

Happy Valentine's Day

For Valentine's Day, I can't think of anything more fitting to blog about than my daughter goofing around before she attended her 8th grade Valentine's dance. She said, "I'm so excited and nervous at the same time". Hope your Valentine's is as exciting as it was for my 8th grader:)

Inspiration Found

I have been struggling to find the time, energy, and inspiration to work in my art journal. I went to a new coffee shop yesterday, happen to find it by chance. Enclosed in the coffee shop was some amazing art. Art items from papayaart.com were all through the store (including Sabrina Ward Harrison bag). I left feeling so inspired. I found this card with a great quote on it, "Behind all this, some great happiness is hiding". I hope this is true with all the changes that are coming this year.

Back 2 Blogging

This has been the longest break from blogging that I have taken since starting. The holidays got the best of me & my time:) I am looking forward to working in my art journal in the new year. What are you looking forward to in this new year?

Moving

I woke up Sunday morning and felt like I wanted a change. I decided to dismantle my art room and move it into the bedroom. I am hoping that this will inspire more art and more blogging (sorry for the long break). Now, the guest room is just the guest room (1st picture above). I have no idea why during the holidays I chose to start moving. My husband says its my cure for the desire to "move move" - maybe?!

Thanks for all your comments about the gym and procrastinating. I did make it to the gym that day! My goal is 3x/week with my daughter. Last week was 1x (yikes!), but here's to this week! We are talking about signing up for a Marathon, now if we can just make it to the gym:)

No More Procrastination!

I have been procrastinating on working out lately. I seem to find one excuse or another. Why can't Biggest Loser be on tv every night:)? I will exercise today & here are my top 10 motivating factors to leave the house & hit the gym:

#10. Decreases my irritability (so my family tells me:)
#9. Feels like an accomplishment.
#8. Biggest Loser show (no guilt when watching the episode)
#7. My pants will fit better (be able to breathe properly again:)
#6. I love to run!
#5. No thinking about the fact that I should be working out while spending time in the art room.
#4. Get to listen to my ipod.
#3. A check for the calendar (I mark off the days I workout on my calendar, can you say nerd?)
#2. Get to eat more chocolate (at least that's what I tell myself:)
#1. To be healthy!

Ok now that I have made the list, its time for the gym (no more procrastination:)

Life pL@nS!

On our 10 year anniversary, we had such big plans. We were headed out the door when a phone call came through that altered the plans for the day (lets just say it involved an ER visit, everythings fine). It took me way too long to adjust to the idea that our plans went out the window. I kept thinking maybe we could recover part of the day at least. The funny thing is that we had such comical moments throughout the day that I'm sure we will be laughing about 10 years down the road. Here's to adjusting faster & flexing with life!

"Ugly journal pages"

In Zom's blog, http://pinchmetoseeifyouaredreaming.blogspot.com/, she talks about "ugly journal pages" and she encouraged me to post one. This ugly journal page I actually posted it to my blog in the past, but cropped it because I really disliked it. One of the comments on Zom's blog, talked about focusing on the process not the outcome. I find when I do less thinking/planning that the page actually turns out better. I like the idea of not worrying about whether the page is "ugly" or not because its really about the process which for me is therapeutic. Here's to stopping the insane worry about whether the page turns out to be good, bad, or ugly:) Thank-you Zom!

Celebrating

I took the day off today to spend with my spouse. We are celebrating 10 years of marriage.

Credits: Photo altered at www.befunky.com.

Art Journal Page

I had taped the Biggest Loser (love this show!) to watch tonight and usually I just go to bed after watching tv, but tonight I felt so energized after watching the show. I felt like running a marathon, but settled on working in the art room instead:) I have no idea what this art journal page is about. The word "lost" just kept coming to mind so instead of over thinking it, I just put it on the page and let the page unfold.

Rain

Its raining for the first time in a long time. I love the sound of it and it always feels like it gives me a great excuse to spend the day in the art room, well at least the morning:) Good thing I don't live in Seattle, I'd spend every waking day in the art room!

Random Thoughts

I think this is the longest time span that I have gone without blogging. I have no idea what caused the delay - life I guess:) I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Its exciting to watch the neighbors hang Christmas lights today. I can't wait to get the Christmas tree, this has to be my favorite part of the holiday. Have you bloggers started Christmas shopping & decorating your place?

Making of a diamond

I was talking to one of my coworkers this week and she was talking about life challenges and how she has to remind herself that a diamond is not made through a gentle process, but through a rough one. I found a quote that I love that sums this up: "When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oak grows strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure". by peter marshall

I wanted to say thank-you for the comments about my last blog entry. Very encouraging!!

The Present

I'm working on accepting that I am here in this place for now. I am so ready to move. I find myself counting down the days when the changes are months away. I have to constantly remind myself to enjoy the present. Here's to dreaming, yet embracing the here and now!

enjoying 2 days off

I love having days off during the week. I always make big plans then I realize I just enjoy sipping coffee and standing in the sunlight. What would you do with a free, unscheduled day?